I'm 7 days out from my first PH and Manometry test and I have been off PPIs for about 24hours now. And I'm suffering! I'm taking Zantac 150mg twice a day in its place, but it's not working all that well.

Anyone have any suggestions for how to get through the next 7 days? How did you deal with being off PPIs for so long?

I had to prep for the pH test twice. First time was only a week off PPIs. I was allowed Zantac until 3 days before test, Tums until 24 hours before test. The second time I had to be off PPIs for 10 days! Since I had a paraesophageal hiatal hernia - stomach in chest - my LES valve was wide open all the time.

You might try adding Tums to the Zantac. I was in agony all the time, but we can't cheat or the results will not get us the help we need. To get a little sleep you might try a little melatonin.

During the pH test you can't have any antacid at all. I couldn't eat or drink anything, couldn't swallow, but most people don't even feel it. Take some Zantac and Tums along when you turn in the meter after the 2 days are over.

Hi speedygerd,its sure is tough goin being off ppis when youve got reflux,i just ate 3 small meals a day and took gaviscon after those meals,nothing whatsoever inbetween.Hard work but its worth it to get tested properly. Good luck! Barry

I took Tums and Pepto. I made sure not to eat anything that would trigger the heartburn more. I ate a lot of white pudding cups and took shots of Aloe Vera juice... the aloe vera really did help! Good luck!GERD - LINX January 15, 2013

In a study of PPI rebound with people without GERD, rebound lasted at least 4 weeks for most people, and up to 8 weeks for some people. When they give you these tests, how do they know they aren't just measuring rebound?